The University of Ottawa has announced that it is offering free tuition for children of Canadian military parents killed in action.

Starting Sept. 1, uOttawa is waiving all undergraduate tuition fees for dependants of Canadian Forces personnel killed while serving in an active military mission as part of Project Hero, which helps children of Canadian Forces staff who are killed as a result of an operational mission.

The university will also waive on-campus residence fees for the first year of undergraduate studies.

The new policy is being adopted in recognition of the bravery and personnel sacrifice exemplified by Canadian military personnel while serving their country.

“Canadians owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women who put their lives at risk for our country,” said uOttawa president Allan Rock. “As Canada's university, we think the best way of honouring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is to ensure that their children have free access to education on our campus.”

Students must be under age 26; citizens or permanent residents of Canada; dependants of a member of the Canadian Forces who died while serving in an active mission; and registered as a full-time undergraduate student at uOttawa in a program of study eligible for funding by the province of Ontario.

“I am very proud that my alma mater has stepped up to support Project Hero. It is my goal to get broad-based, national support from all Canadian universities, and having the University of Ottawa be the first to adopt this policy is very significant,” said lead for Project Hero Hon. Lt.-Col. Kevin Reed.